Most experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies simultaneously. Done right, it maximizes your options and negotiating leverage. Done wrong, it burns bridges. Here’s the right way.
Experienced travel therapists consistently recommend working with multiple agencies for several reasons:
When you have competing offers, you can negotiate. “Agency B is offering $2,400/week for the same location — can you match it?” works only when it’s true. Real competing offers are your best negotiating tool.
No single agency has access to every contract. Different agencies have exclusive relationships with different facility systems. Working with 2–3 agencies dramatically increases your assignment options.
If one recruiter leaves or one agency has a dry spell in your target market, you have backup. Single-agency dependence is a risk most experienced travelers avoid.
You don’t need to disclose every agency you’re working with, but be honest when asked. “Yes, I’m talking with a couple of other agencies as well” is fine. Lying about exclusivity damages trust and your reputation in a small industry.
This is the #1 rule. If Agency A submits your resume to General Hospital and Agency B also submits you, the facility may refuse to work with either agency. Coordinate carefully. Keep a running list of where each agency has submitted you.
Even when working with multiple agencies, experienced travelers usually have one primary relationship — typically the agency with the best pay and most trusted recruiter. Use secondary agencies for specific markets or contract types where your primary is weaker.
When you get an offer from Agency A, tell Agency B honestly: “I have another offer I need to respond to by Friday — do you have anything competitive in [location]?” This is professional and creates legitimate urgency without manipulation.
⚠️ The travel therapy industry is smaller than it feels. Recruiters talk to each other, facility managers know multiple agencies, and your reputation follows you. Ethical multi-agency management protects you long-term.
Pay transparency is the biggest differentiator between agencies. Agencies that share their bill rates (what the facility pays them) allow you to verify whether your package math is accurate. The formula:
Total Weekly Package = Taxable Hourly Pay × Hours + Tax-Free Housing Stipend + Tax-Free M&IE Stipend
Confirm stipends are within GSA limits for the assignment city. Over-stipending is a tax compliance risk to YOU, not just the agency.
When comparing two offers, build a simple spreadsheet:
| Category | Agency A | Agency B |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable hourly rate | $28/hr | $22/hr |
| Weekly taxable pay (40 hrs) | $1,120 | $880 |
| Housing stipend/week | $1,050 | $1,300 |
| M&IE stipend/week | $490 | $490 |
| Total weekly gross | $2,660 | $2,670 |
| Health insurance deduction | $0 (covered) | -$85/week |
| True take-home | $2,660 | $2,585 |
Agency B’s higher stipend looked better at first glance, but after accounting for insurance costs, Agency A’s offer is actually $75/week higher. Always build the full picture.
The best agencies for multi-agency travelers are those with pay transparency as a core value — because you can actually verify what they’re offering is competitive.
Before adding a second or third agency, establish a baseline with the most transparent one. Get matched with ProTherapy — free, no obligation.
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